SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC — Nearly 100 people have been confirmed dead following the catastrophic roof collapse of the renowned Jet Set nightclub during a live performance by famed merengue artist Rubby Perez. The tragedy occurred just after midnight on Tuesday, sending shockwaves throughout the country and prompting a national emergency response.
According to News, rescue teams worked around the clock, initially searching for survivors but now shifting focus to the recovery of bodies. Rubby Perez, who was performing at the time, was among those killed, as confirmed by his manager, Enrique Paulino.
“We are currently coordinating with his children to finalize arrangements for his funeral,” Paulino stated.
The disaster also claimed the life of Octavio Dotel, a 51-year-old retired Major League Baseball star and World Series champion, who succumbed to injuries en route to the hospital. Tributes have since poured in, including a scoreboard memorial at New York’s Citi Field.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and horror. Perez’s daughter, Zulinka, narrowly escaped the collapse, recounting the sudden blackout that preceded the roof’s failure. Rescue teams—numbering over 370—searched through twisted metal, concrete, and debris, aided by cranes and aerial surveillance.
President Luis Abinader visited the site and announced three days of national mourning, confirming the death of Monte Cristi Governor Nelsy Cruz among the victims. By early Wednesday, the death toll had climbed to 98, with dozens more injured and several still unaccounted for.
Local media reported that between 500 and 1,000 people were inside the club at the time—far exceeding its seating capacity of 700. Survivors described feeling tremors and seeing dust fall moments before the collapse. One attendee, Iris Pena, escaped with her son just before a stone shattered their table.
Loved ones gathered in anguish at nearby hospitals, seeking updates as authorities issued urgent appeals for blood donations. Aerial footage revealed a gaping void where the nightclub’s roof once stood.
Jet Set, a staple of Dominican nightlife for over five decades, issued a statement expressing deep sorrow and pledged full cooperation with investigators. The club had recently promoted the concert on social media, inviting fans to enjoy Perez’s “greatest hits” in what it called “the country’s best nightclub.”
This tragedy comes as a severe blow to the Dominican Republic, a major tourist destination known for its vibrant culture, drawing over 11 million visitors in 2024. Tourism accounts for about 15 percent of the nation’s GDP.
Authorities continue to investigate the structural failure, promising accountability and urgent support for victims’ families.
